Gig Review: The Humdrum Express - Claptrap the Venue, Stourbridge. Sunday 9th November 2025

Afternoon gigs are where it's at. At least Sunday ones in November when you're done and dusted before the evening sets in. Maybe ideal for a certain demographic and not artists who quibble about a festival slot being too early. All parties at this sold out gig were happy to descend on Claptrap the Venue in Stourbridge High Street for doors at two and an encore at five-thirty, especially for a much loved performer on a special occasion. Ian Passey aka The Humdrum Express is a popular act on the Midlands music circuit, full band when flushed and able, solo when adaptable and practical. Both outlets brim with fast paced lyric-laden songs mixing performance poetry with uptempo indie rock. Incite and wit frame the narrative as a sharp literary barrage of quirky subjects load the cannon to fire back a volley of catchy songs. The special occasion was the album launch of Rastrophiliopustrocity Pomposity, a title for the ages if not algorithm friendly. 

The afternoon kicked off with an half hour support set from Birmingham trio The Leaking Machine. They are a band taking their cues from a sound blending jangle rock and power pop. All that was missing was a 12-string Rickenbacker driving the twang but what was on offer harnessed a sweet sound within the venue's system to deliver vocal clarity and tunes piquing the ear with optimal craft. The picks were 'Chocolate and Car' and 'Love is the Word' featuring at the backend of the set. 

The Humdrum Express were a fully stocked five-piece for the album launch gig making the short journey from Kidderminster to play the familiar terrain of Stourbridge. Passey took the opportunity to drop the guitar and focus on a vocal performance to delight the massed audience many clad in band t-shirts. He was in safe hands with a backing pair of electric guitars joining bass and drums providing the framework for his incisive songs to sparkle. The role to give the show a vivacious backbeat was tightly executed by the band. With this in place, it was over to the enthusiastic frontman to own the show and give folks what they came to see.

The Humdrum Express's songs are an observational dive into unusual song matter, swaying between niche and kitchen sink irony. Expositional sporting musings feature regularly including the sprightly cricket homage 'Abdul Qadir' from the new album, and from the previous record 'When Peter Shilton Tweets' and 'Denim in the Dugout (A Victory Over Two Legs)'. If any newcomers were perplexed by a cut out image of Sally Gunnel placed behind Passey they had their answer in the rousing encore of 'One Man's Tat (Is Another Man's Treasure)' when waved and tossed into the crowd. For similar themes from the archives, take a peep into the world of Half Man Half Biscuit, famous for embedding European football giants Dukla Prague and Honved into folk punk songs. 

Passey gelled with his audience from the off with many joining in with the chorus of opener E-Petition. Further animated revelry came in 'Turkey Teeth' and 'Chipsticks' with packets of the latter thrown into the crowd and opened with relish. The rock 'n' roll business also gets some poetic dissection in 'He Loves the Classics' and a rollicking version of 'The Second Hottest Day' represented the new album in full flow. There was also a nod to Stourbridge's esteemed music heritage, now visually present in town murals depicting logos of Pop Will Eat Itself, Neds Atomic Dustbin and The Wonderstuff. 

The Humdrum Express solo is likely a different nuanced take on Passey's songs with plenty of opportunities to see it live around the area. This afternoon was all about the energy of the full band version where an indie rock sheen breathes fresh life and invigorates the frontman. The album with the strange name had a worthy launch and The Humdrum Express extends its music prowess past the twenty-year mark. Not your normal Stourbridge Sunday afternoon but one you could get used to.